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Sen. Griffo supporting law to help North Country school districts receive approval for security enhancements

Posted 3/16/18

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said Wednesday that his support for legislation recently passed by the state Senate would speed up the approval process for security improvements at school districts …

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Sen. Griffo supporting law to help North Country school districts receive approval for security enhancements

Posted

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said Wednesday that his support for legislation recently passed by the state Senate would speed up the approval process for security improvements at school districts across the state.

The bill (S7846) requires the Smart Schools Review Board to meet monthly and approve plans submitted by schools, provide updates on pending applications, and notify schools within seven days of a plan being rejected or modifications being sought.

It also requires the state Department of Education, Division of Budget, and State University of New York to develop a process to notify districts of the status of their applications, respond to district status inquires within seven days, and for the board to pay for approved projects within 30 days.

Approved by voters in the state in 2014, the Smart Schools Bond Act authorized $2 billion in bonds to finance improved education technology and infrastructure in an effort to improve learning and opportunity for students, according to the state Education Department. The department’s Office of Educational Design and Technology reviews Smart School Investment Plans that are submitted by districts seeking to use Smart Schools funds for educational technology-related purchases.

The Smart Schools Review Board, however, has only met seven times since its first meeting in May of 2016. As of February 1, 2018 there are 243 pending applications, according to Griffo.

The senator reports that districts have complained that it is difficult to get a response from SED as to their plans' status. Furthermore, given that the board meets at random intervals of time it is impossible for districts to know when their project might be approved. Even after a project is approved it can take a long time for districts to receive the money to begin or pay off the project.

“School districts could be missing out on valuable and needed financial resources that could go towards enhancing security and making facilities safer for students and staff,” Griffo said. “We should examine all ways and methods that will expedite the process of providing this important funding to schools throughout the state.”